Just in time for the first installment this season of the Duke-North Carolina rivalry, the Blue Devils are back to being the Blue Devils. A year after an uncharacteristic 22-11 season ended with a rare first-round NCAA tournament ouster to underdog Virginia Commonwealth, No. 2 Duke brings a 19-1 record and a 7-0, first-place mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference into tonight's battle at second-place, third-ranked UNC (21-1, 6-1).

No. 2 Duke plays No. 3 North Carolina on Wednesday with the Blue Devils leading the Atlantic Coast Conference at 7-0 and the Tar Heels close behind at 6-1. North Carolina might be without starting point guard Ty Lawson (sprained ankle); Duke is missing Brian Zoubek (broken toe), who matches up against Tyler Hansbrough.

Greg Paulus scored 22 points, including a burst of three three-pointers early in the second half, to help third-ranked Duke rally past North Carolina State 92-72 on Thursday night. Freshman Kyle Singler added 19 points for the Blue Devils (18-1, 6-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who trailed by nine at halftime for the second straight game before turning up their intensity to stay atop the league standings.